Ruptured uterus: the unabating obstetric catastrophe in South eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Ruptured uterus is an obstetric catastrophe and results in significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. To review the incidence and management of ruptured uterus over the 8-year period (2000-2004 and 2007-2009) and analysis of records of cases of ruptured uterus during the period under review in a descriptive study. The incidence of uterine rupture is 1 in 81 deliveries with a contribution of 13.8% to maternal mortality in Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. There was high fetal wastage as 99 (97.1%) of the babies died. The highest incidence of ruptured uterus was found in the para 2-4 group. Teenagers constituted 4 (3.96%) of the cases. Majority of the rupture, 69 (65.4%) occurred anteriorly. Fifty-seven (56.4%) had only repair of the rupture done. The greatest complication was septicemia, which occurred in 32 (31.7%) of the patients. The incidence of uterine rupture is very high in our center. It is one of the highest causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. There should be a multi-pronged effort aimed at improving the utilization of medical services by the populace and the health institutions offering efficient obstetric emergency care.